match1

 
Pronunciation: /matʃ/

noun

  • 1a contest in which people or teams compete against each other in a particular sport: a boxing match
  • 2a person or thing that is equal to another in quality or strength: they were no match for the mercenaries
  • 3a person or thing that resembles or corresponds to another: the child’s identical twin would be a perfect match for organ donation
  • Computing a string that fulfils the specified conditions of a computer search: when the software finds a match, it writes the correct character
  • a similar or complementary pair: the headdresses and bouquet were a perfect match
  • the fact or appearance of corresponding: stones of a perfect match and colour
  • 4a person viewed in regard to their eligibility for marriage, especially as regards class or wealth: he was an unsuitable match for any of their girls
  • a marriage: a dynastic match

verb

  • 1correspond or cause to correspond in some essential respect; make or be harmonious: [with object]: I thought we’d have primrose walls to match the bath [no object]: the jacket and trousers do not match
  • [with object] put (someone or something) together with someone or something else appropriate or harmonious: she was trying to match the draperies to the couch
  • 2 [with object] be equal to (something) in quality or strength: his anger matched her own
  • succeed in reaching or equalling (a standard or quality): he tried to match her nonchalance
  • equalize (two coupled electrical impedances) so as to bring about the maximum transfer of power from one to the other: the impedance of microphones, auxiliary equipment, and loudspeakers must be matched
  • 3 [with object] place (a person or group) in competition with another: the big names were matched against nobodies (as adjective, with submodifier matched) evenly matched teams

Phrases

make a match

get married: Harry and the Harvey girl were going to make a match of it

meet one's match

encounter one’s equal in strength or ability: Iris had met her match

to match

corresponding in some essential respect with something previously mentioned or chosen: a new coat and a hat to match

Phrasal Verbs

match up to

be as good as or equal to: she matches up to the challenges of the job

match someone with

archaic bring about the marriage of someone to: try if you can to match her with a duke

Derivatives

matchable

adjective

Origin:

Old English gemæcca 'mate, companion', of West Germanic origin; related to the base of make